I Want You to Be Happy: Finding Peace and Abundance in Everyday Life

by Pope Francis

God planted happiness in the souls of each of us. God wants us to be happy. But so many of us have misunderstood what this means, and we search for fulfillment in the wrong places. In I Want Happiness For You, Pope Francis explains the characteristics of true, lasting happiness, no matter your circumstances or situation. 

In this new book, which quickly became his biggest bestseller in many years in Italy when it was published in 2022, Pope Francis shares wisdom and encouragement to help readers seek God's will and His best. The short, accessible chapters allow distill the message into bite-sized readings, and can be read all at once or in daily segments. 

This collection of inspiring pieces will encourage, inspire, and remind all readers that God cares and wants to live and love well.

Genres: Religion, Nonfiction, Spirituality, Catholic

240 pages, Hardcover

Published February 18, 2025

About the author

Pope Francis (Latin: Franciscus; Italian: Francesco; Spanish: Francisco; born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, 17 December 1936) was the 266th Pope of the Roman Catholic Church, a title he held ex officio as Bishop of Rome, and Sovereign of the Vatican City. He chose Francis as his papal name in honor of Saint Francis of Assisi. Francis was the first Jesuit pope, the first from the Americas, the first from the Southern Hemisphere and the first non-European pope since the Syrian Gregory III, who died in 741.

Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Bergoglio worked briefly as a chemical technologist and nightclub bouncer before beginning seminary studies. He was ordained a Catholic priest in 1969 and from 1973 to 1979 was Argentina's provincial superior of the Society of Jesus. He was accused of handing two priests to the National Reorganization Process during the Dirty War, but the lawsuit was ultimately dismissed. He became the Archbishop of Buenos Aires in 1998 and was created a cardinal in 2001 by Pope John Paul II. He led the Argentine Church during the December 2001 riots in Argentina, and the administrations of Néstor Kirchner and Cristina Fernández de Kirchner considered him a political rival. Following the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI on 28 February 2013, a papal conclave elected Bergoglio as his successor on 13 March.

Throughout his public life, Pope Francis had been noted for his humility, emphasis on God's mercy, concern for the poor, and commitment to interfaith dialogue. He was credited with having a humble, less formal approach to the papacy than his predecessors, for instance choosing to reside in the Domus Sanctae Marthae guesthouse rather than in the papal apartments of the Apostolic Palace used by his predecessors. In addition, due to both his Jesuit and Ignatian aesthetic, he was known for favoring simpler vestments void of ornamentation, including refusing the traditional papal mozzetta cape upon his election, choosing silver instead of gold for his piscatory ring, and keeping the same pectoral cross he had as Cardinal. He maintained that the church should be more open and welcoming. He did not support unbridled capitalism, Marxism, or Marxist versions of liberation theology. Francis maintained the traditional views of the church regarding abortion, euthanasia, contraception, homosexuality, ordination of women, and priestly celibacy. He opposed consumerism, irresponsible development, and supported taking action on climate change, a focus of his papacy with the promulgation of Laudato si'. In international diplomacy, he helped to restore full diplomatic relations between the U.S. and Cuba.

Reviews

[Gideon Yutzy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I feel a special connection to this book because I was in the middle of it as my bedside table read when Pope Francis died. Also, he shares my birthday. Unfortunately I didn't find it very substantive. It felt like a mishmash of glib truisms. Certainly, he chooses an appropriate topic - find noble and worthy dreams and take risks to achieve them. In summary, I have no issue with the content, just the manner in which it was delivered. But hey, give the guy a break: he was finishing off a 12-year career as one of the more reform-minded popes in history, not to mention he was 88 and that I wasn't reading it in the language in which he wrote it.

[Andrea Engle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This meditation on Happiness was translated from the Italian by Oonagh Stransky. It begins with “Fifteen Steps Toward Happiness,” and expands on these ideas to eight chapters, stating that Happiness is: 1) a gift received; 2) a gift given; 3) a path; 4) “not just getting by;” 5) “Making Your Dreams Come True;” 6) revolutionary; 7) concrete love; and, finally, 8) “A Hundred Times Over in This Life.” As Pope Francis comments: “ Let us accept the Lord’s invitation without resistance. Only by opening ourselves to His mercy will we find true life and true joy. All we have to do is open the door - He will do the rest. He does everything; we just have to open our hearts. He can heal us and help us move forward. I assure you that we will all be happier.” Enlightening and inspirational …

[Sarah Spiller · Rating 4 out of 5]

this could almost be written as a devotional about happiness, rather than a book to be read all in one because it is a lot of shortish sections on different topics to do with happiness as a christian. i loved all the wisdom in this book and it really makes me admire pope francis’s outlook on a lot of things more, now that i’ve read this book. i definitely feel inspired to lead a more truly christian life and want to start working more on the spiritual and corporal works of mercy thanks to this book. i’d definitely recommend this as a good lent book because the importance and meaning behind lent is discussed in multiple sections in this book!

thank you pope francis!

[Sharon M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Many thanks to NetGalley and FaithWords for gifting me a digital ARC of this inspirational book by Pope Francis. All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 stars!

Pope Francis shares wisdom and encouragement to help readers seek true happiness - and reminds us what true happiness is and is not. I savored this book, reading bits and pieces throughout Lent, and will refer to it often. While I'm Catholic, that's not a necessity for appreciating this book. Pope Francis points to scripture, but also uses quotes from sources such as The Lord of the Rings to stress various points, RIP Pope Francis.

[Allison Embrey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Love the purpose and love the person. I think this reads more of a daily devotional than a chapter book. I get the feeling that Pope Francis put together his favorite homilies and called it a book. Still nice to read and would do it again but in a devotional type way.

Quotes: “Today, I urge you to promote good!….It is not enough to refrain, but to interrupt evil…” Cling to which is good.

True joy is born from the encounter and relationship with others....it is born from feeling accepted, understood, and loved.

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Accept your weaknesses, share your bounty, love yourself and others, take action, work for change, live to serve and take care of others, don't get caught up in the past, make mistakes, laugh at yourself, see the good in others, do your job with integrity, follow your dreams, don't give up, choose to be happy, and know that God walks with you. This is some of the excellent advice in this uplifting book that may just help you to lead a happier life in this time of consumerism mentality, throw away culture, the need for instant gratification, and disconnection with society.

[Melissa Cavanaugh (melissasbookbliss) · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the book “I Want You to Be Happy,” Pope Francis imparts wisdom and motivation to guide readers in their pursuit of happiness, while clarifying what true happiness truly entails. I enjoyed this book, appreciating its insights that outline the quality of genuine, enduring happiness that is attainable regardless of circumstances. Pope Francis references scripture and also incorporates quotes from works like “The Lord of the Rings” to emphasize his points.

[Rachyl McLeod · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF at 55%

I just got tired of the repetitive nature of the text. It was too simplistic to keep me even the littlest bit interested in finishing the rest of the book. The tiny spurts of information seemed not to have any kind of pattern and that bugged me. There are just much better books I could be spending my time on.

[Eileen Goodwin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is not a book to be read quickly but more as a spiritually gift of Pope Francis. He passed away before I started reading this book, but it really was a gift from his heart. I will read it again even more slowly.

[Jessica Gomez · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the J.R.R. Tolkien snip-its throughout the book. Another additional reason to love pope Francis! Truly spiritual and easy to understand writing. Highly recommend to anyone looking to depend their faith.

[Daniel Oster · Rating 4 out of 5]

Honestly, a very positive read with a simple message to be kind to each other

[Anna M (readwithanna)]

Put this book down and after multiple weeks I am officially DNFing at 58 pages

[Alexis · Rating 1 out of 5]

The content of the book is good. Unfortunately, thecomercial audio narrator is terrible.

[Jon Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some nice reflections in this daily reader from a very good man. Best quote… ‘happiness is not a sofa’.

[Marta · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful thoughts.

[Marilee · Rating 4 out of 5]

It took me a long time to finish this. I love Pope Francis and his gentle spirit. I found many of the excerpts beautiful and others too heady for me.

[Hari · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the mood of christmas, I read this book of Pope Francis. He is a great story teller.

[Elizabeth Bartos · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought this book would be more “storyline” rather than a “go-to” inspired book that helps one’s time of need.
God bless your soul.😔

[Authormoniquew · Rating 4 out of 5]

This little book is simple yet piercing. Reminding us that pleasure is like fireworks, but happiness is the steady glow of Christ's light.
Pope Francis doesn't shy away from telling us the truth:
We are far too concerned with ourselves.
*Consumer society keeps our hearts restless.
-Love is not words, but a daily choice, a gift, a sacrifice.
One line that stayed with me: freedom isn't always "getting to do what I want." Real freedom is choosing what is good, even when it requires effort, because goodness pleases God.
It's a call to dream big, resist apathy, and not settle for mediocrity. To stop asking, "what do I feel like doing?" and instead ask, "what would be good for me-and for others?"
The heart of this book is service. Happiness comes when we finally step outside of ourselves and ask: Whom can I help today?
This slim book holds more than wisdom-it holds a challenge: to love boldly, to live with purpose, to let Christ be the constant light in our ordinary hours.
A new favorite, and one I will return to again and again.

[Lucy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I Want You to Be Happy: Finding Peace and Abundance in Everyday Life by Pope Francis is a book I would not normally read however he had passed away a few days before when I saw this displayed in my local library and thought it would be a good time to do so.

His Holiness shares his insights and encourages readers in short anecdotes to seek happiness and reminds us what true happiness is and what is not. Whilst I'm am not a Catholic, I appreciated the wisdom and straight forward good sense in this book. Of course Pope Francis points to Biblical scripture, but He also uses quotes from books such as The Lord of the Rings to emphasize his points, which I appreciated.

I borrowed a copy of this book from Taunton Library and listened to it on Spotify. I read this for prompt 47, "I think it was blue", for the 52 Book Club Reading Challenge 2025.